FOXTON ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 502, 8 May 1909, Page 6

FOXTON ITEMS.

. That Foxton has' at last determined to move forward is to bo soon in tho publishcd statements of ,those who lately issued election addresses to the ratepayers at tho recent municipal eloctions Every councillor •elected k pledged to tho' support of an up-to-date water supply, and drainage ebhemo, a fire' 1 brigade-witti modern appliances,'and improved street and footpath formation;' A number-have promised their support to a municipal Uall-r-a much-needed convenience' —and one proposes a district hospital. Tho. new council will meet for the first time on Monday,' and, with tho advent of seven new councillors, besides two of the late council and a now . Mayor, all determined to brinjj Foxton to the.very forefront of municipal progress, residents will not long havo to rest under the stigma of being the' slowest' borough, in Hew Zealand. Our nowly-formed Harbour Board did not make a very effective start' on being constituted. It came into existence on April 1, and, at its first meeting, which .should have on Monday, April 19, there was no quDrum, and consequently some-who attended (and came somo distance to do so) had to- return without 'accomplishing anything. The meeting was.-adjourned to May 10, when it is hoped thoro will.be a full and enthusiastic meeting. Tho Foxton Harboar Board has a very important work to da in deepening and maintaining tho rivor and harbour, but tho _ Bill giving tliem. this authority, while relieving 'the 'Marino' Department of all responsibility, makes no provision whatever for the board securing' the fluids to caiTy out the _ liocessary work. There are wharfages certainly, but the Railway Department has ro long appropriated them to swell.the railway returns, and help pay interest on non-paying political lines, vory remote from Foxton, that it flatly refuses to give to the board its legitimate revenue, or spend a sixpence on harbour improvements. , The prospect of a farmers' cooperative freezing works being established here is croating a good deal of interest. There aro f«w more suitable places in the Dominion for tho successful and economical working of snch an enterprise. The fact that the Harbour Board has offered a free'sito on .the river for the necsssary buildings and adjuncts of such n businoss should act as an incentive to establish the works hero. The facilities for loading ocean-going vessels ari> hotter hero than in many places in tho Dominion, whero successful freezing and shipping is being dono. If tho report of the committee appointed to ir.ake a selection of a site favours Foxton, there will bo a vory largo number of' shares subscribed for hero and throughout tho Horowhoriua, Mana r wntu, and Itangitikei districts, but on the other hand if Foxton is not. selected ono is afraid from what one hears ho proposal will not receive much support. ; Cricketers in this district will regret to learn that Mr. ''Jack" Nightingale, who last season showed 6iich good form on the orickot; field, is leaving our midst. He has been offered and has accepted a position as book!tao,oer and assistant manager with his old oiiiployor, Mr. S. Charlton, who' has taken over the-Carlton Club Hotel, Hastings, and will take up his duties there within the imt few weeks.—"Herald."- I